Sonja peered at the time through sleep-bleared eyes. I’ll get up soon. One more snooze won’t hurt. She tapped the button on the alarm clock, cutting off the DJ in mid-sentence, and snuggled back under the covers. She was fast asleep within seconds.

“...6:52, and we’re looking at a rainy morning, folks.” Sonja jolted at the sudden, loud intrusion into her sleep. Great. Rain. Father, I’m grateful for the rain. I know we need it, but why during rush hour? Couldn’t you wait till everyone’s at work?

“Better get an early start; traffic will be a bear on the connector. Now, in honor of the weather, here’s the latest release from MercyMe - “Jesus Bring the Rain.”

I’ll just listen to this song, then get up.

“That was MercyMe with our theme song for this wet morning.” Sonja turned her head toward the clock. Man, I slept through one of my favorite songs! Hmm...if I don’t wash my hair, I can hit the snooze one more time. Rolling onto her tummy, she purred, and fell back asleep.

“...but our son, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead in that shirt. It came from SuperMart, and no one who is cool wears clothes from...” Sonja smacked the snooze button without even glancing at the clock. I can skip my Bible reading and devotion this morning and sleep just a bit longer. I’ll still almost be on time. Soon she was dozing.

“Father, I’m sorry that I didn’t make time for You this morning. Forgive me for my laziness.” Sonja prayed as she dodged slower cars, weaving in and out of lanes. “Please help me make it to work on time.” “You IDIOT! Move faster! Go, go!”

She eyed the HOV lane. Drivers with passengers were speeding by the bumper-to-bumper single drivers. “Cheater!” she shouted at a pick-up that obviously didn’t have two or more people in the cab. No matter that he couldn’t hear her, and probably didn’t care about her opinion anyway. Should I? Do I dare hop over into the left lane and take a chance? If there is a cop patrolling the HOV lane, that guy in the truck will get pulled over and I’ll be safe. She made a hasty decision, turned on her left signal, and jerked into the first gap and gunned the engine. Ah, this is more like it. I should be right on time, now.

“Do you know why I pulled you over this morning?” Rain dripped off the cop’s hat cover as he bent over to speak to Sonja.

“Yes, officer, I was in the HOV lane illegally.” She wiped a wayward raindrop out of her eye.

“So you know you have to have two or more people in your car to use this lane. Is there a reason you decided to use it anyway?”

Lies and excuses flashed through Sonja’s mind. I need to use the bathroom real bad...My friend is at the hospital and she’s dying...I was chasing a carjacker..., but she chose to tell the truth instead. “I was late for work.”

“I’m going to have to cite you. You should really get an earlier start when it’s raining, you know.”

Yah, I know.

Proverbs 15:19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway. (NIV)

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This was written so well, I felt like I was riding along with her. Of course, I wasn't, because if I had been she wouldn't have been pulled over for driving in the HOV lane illegally! lol Great writing!

Oh how I miss the days when I could sleep past 5:00am. My kids get up way before the alarm goes off and yet I am still late every day. I bet your MC could just hear those stitches ripping as the day wore on.

Seems to me along with that prayer of forgiveness, she should have asked for a little wisdom to boot. That guy in the truck could have been a cop in disguise you know! : )
Besides, isn't it odd that we chose not to do something because we might get caugth rather than simply because it's the right thing to do?

Well I can relate to this! My alarm clock is on the dresser across the room where I HAVE to get up! ;D And the part where she's praying and chewing out other drivers - it's like looking in a mirror! Great story!

I loved this way-too-true story. If I got all the tickets I deserve...

Well, anyway, I loved the internal dialogue mixing with the radio. And I really liked all the descriptions worked effortlessly through the story. I could picture exactly what was happening. Very enjoyable!

Oh! I can so relate to this MC. I remember hitting my snooze button one too many times. Great staging for both parts of your story. I could feel the tiredness while she was still in bed, and then the frustration and tension while she was on the highway. Love the verse at the end, too!

I loved the internal dialog and how the radio announcer kept cutting in. The passage of time was very clear and easy to follow and the overall flow and feel was great. Realistic and enjoyable. :-) Hugs!

Really great writing Cat and a wonderful start for your first week in Masters. I liked best how you brought the scene up close and personal with a blow by blow account making the reader feel as if we were experiencing everything right along with the mc. It also reminded me of the proverb 'yet a little sleep, a little folding of the hands to sleep...